1950 Singer 99k - Finished

The 1950 Singer 99k is finally finished. All the moving parts have been removed, cleaned, polished, replaced and now operate properly. The motor and foot controller have been re-wired. And the 'bug-eye' light from hell has been re-wired. So, here you go....

1950 Singer 99k in full working glory.

This isn't a really good picture, but if you compare it to the 'before' shot, she's a beauty!

I can't believe this is the same machine as above. 

And to top it all off, shortly after I finished her (aka "Ann"), I found a 1926 Singer 99 (US made) for $25, complete with all the parts and pieces. I've been feverishly working on "Ruby" and thanks to my new friend Michelle donating a few parts, that machine is now finished. I'll post a complete set of rebuild posts for the 1926 Singer 99. I'm really pleased how both of these machines have turned out. I'll try and have those posts up by the end of the week, before I start on my next projects.

Next on the list: 1914 Singer 66-1 "Red Eye". I've been lusting after a Red-Eye machine for a while, and found one at the right price. Once she's done, I'll place her in the treadle where she can be appreciated on a daily basis.

And as luck would have it, I stumbled upon a 1957 Singer 401A at a yard sale last Friday. Yes, it came home with me; I couldn't help myself. But that machine is fully intended to be refurbished and re-sold. I already have my grandmother's 401, so I don't really need two of them. And then of course, there's the 1951 Centennial Edition Featherweight 221 that found its way to my house as well. Sigh. I swear I'm not addicted, honest.  Well, okay, maybe a little bit. But at least it keeps me busy and out of the refrigerator. Good Lord, candy corn is calling my name.

Still breathing...

Though I haven't written in a while, I am still around. I've mostly been trying to keep myself preoccupied with various projects so as not to worry about the twins all the time. It seems as though that may be a task in futility.

The twins themselves seem to be staying out of trouble, but the rest of that household is in pure chaos. My 20-year old adopted brother, who still lives at home, has 'knocked-up' his girlfriend. In and of itself, not the end of the world...until you find out that the girlfriend is only 13!!! OK. FIRST, my brother knows better. Period. No debating that one. SECOND, what parent in their right mind allows their 13 year-old daughter to a) date, b) date someone 20 years old, and c) be alone with said 20 year-old?????? Now my brother is in jail for statutory rape, the girl is 13 and pregnant (not a t.v. show I want to see) - and who will suffer the most? The innocent, unborn child who has no say so in his/her life. Please God, allow the child to be born healthy and safely, and to be adopted by loving parents.

Now on to a positive note, the twins are working harder in school. I think both of them realize what better lives they would have outside of their current home, and hopefully they are learning that education is part of it. Having spent time with my sisters this summer, and being back in communication with me, they are seeing that life can be so much more than what the have; not just materialistically, but better in every sense of the world. And I know that doesn't necessarily mean better with me, but with anyone who actually cares and puts the boys best interests to the front of the line. I really hope they are allowed to spend Thanksgiving with us (Mom's adult kids). I think the more time they spend with us, especially at big holidays, they will see that families can be loving and functional. From my lips, to God's ears.

On the "Things that keep me Sane" front - I'm working on a few new shirts. Trying to test fit patterns, before I go head-first into sewing too many that don't fit properly. You'd be surprised at how mind-calming sewing can be, even when you stick yourself for the one-hundredth time with a pin! The quilt top is finished, and sandwiched. I can't decide how I want to quilt it - so it has been moved to the "thinking" pile. (That pile never seems to shrink.)

I recently added an embroidery machine to my "herd". I bought it used and have already made a few "gifts" with it. Christmas presents should be easy decisions this year! And with this new machine, I have decided that my machines are breeding. But I did sell one of my vintage machines - a Singer Slant 301. It was (is) a great machine, but needed a new home as I haven't used it in over a year and it needs to be used by someone who loves and appreciates it. I learned that its new owner will use it to teach her grandchildren how to sew, including her grandson. Since my Nana taught me to sew, I thought this would be a perfect use for this machine. And of course, wouldn't you know it....one machine left the house, and then I found another one, for less than a tank of gas less than a week's worth of lunch at Subway. It's another Singer 99 portable, but this one is from 1926 and was complete. It'll need a complete overhaul, with wiring, etc. I'll try and do a better job of chronicling that one.

Until the next post, Peace with you all.
Scott

"Popera"

Ok, I'll admit it: I'm a fan of "popera", the genre of music that fuses pop with opera, made famous by Josh Groban and Il Divo. And I'll admit that I like Il Divo as well. In a world where modern musical lyrics are filled with *&^% words in every verse, it is a pleasant experience to listen to something soothing and gentle, both on the ears and also on the soul.

I first heard the popera sound with Josh Groban's hit "You Raise Me Up". It played on the radio while Mom and I were on our way back from one of her chemo treatments. By the end of the song, I was a flood of tears - enough to solve the current mid-west drought. Later that night, I searched iTunes and found Josh's album (is that still the correct term?) and downloaded it in its entirety. I have since played that album over and over, and I hear something different each time I listen (maybe that's because I'm trying to decipher/translate the Spanish/French/Italian lyrics?).

Listening to Josh, led me to Il Divo. Four international men with distinct voices (who look damn good in a well-cut suit/tuxedo). They sing pop songs, with an operatic twist and many of the songs are sung in the Romance languages (S/P/I). Something about their sound resonates in me; especially tenor David Miller's voice. I get all tingly when I hear him sing. To me, it has the same majesty as I would imagine an angel singing in Heaven. The group members have said that their biggest fans are generally "older moms". Well, I hope they aren't offended that this middle-aged man really enjoys their music. And if you like Il Divo, you'll enjoy the Canadian Tenors. I discovered them this week with the wonders of the internet radio and Pandora.

David Miller of Il Divo

Listening to the soothing music of the above artists has been truly beneficial this week while working on my Bachelor Puzzle quilt top. Many times I wanted to pull my greying hair out by handfuls. Out of the 560 individual squares and triangles, maybe half of those lined up properly. Putting the project away on three separate occasions when house guests took over my sewing room didn't help; nor did switching from one of my vintage machines (the 301A) to a modern one (L-500). But, it is assembled. I will machine quilt it with Singer Quantum L-500 - the main reason I bought that machine. I'm still pondering what pattern to use for the actual quilting. In the meantime I've set it aside and moved back into shirt making. I have loads of fabric and ideas for some great holiday shirts. If they are going to be finished in time, I really need to get a move on with those. Maybe I should go listen to some David Miller for inspiration. Ok...enough of that....it sounds eerily like a man-crush!